Knott's Scary Farm Haunt 2008
- Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA
- 2008 dates: September 25-28, October 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, and 22-26, 29-31, and Nov. 1.
- Cost: There is a separate admission to Knott's Scary Farm. Tickets are $52.99 at the gate and, depending on the date, either $47.99 or $49.99 in advance. Group discounts available (call 714-220-5163 for info).
Other admission options include a "V.I.M" (Very Important Monster) guided tour. For the very pricey fee of $2000, up to six guests will get front-of-the-line entry into the mazes and a personal guide. The tours require advance reservations by calling (714) 220-5298. There are also "Pre-Scare Dinner" and "Post-Scare Breakfast packages as well as hotel packages available.
- Knott's Scary Farm Haunt photo gallery.
- For more info: (714) 220-5000
- Official Knott's Scary Farm 2008 Web site. Presale tickets are available online.
Among the seven stage shows is the always wildly inventive The Hanging, which takes a cheeky look at current events through blood-colored glasses. Other highlights Dr. Cleaver's Big Election (which has nothing to do with "Leave it to Beaver") and Festival of Freaks, professional weirdoes that eat glass and stick their fingers in light sockets (ouch!).
Many of Knott's regular rides will be open in addition to the Halloween mayhem. Particularly appropriate: the wonderful Ghost Rider wooden coaster.
Be forewarned: Knott's doesn't skimp on the gross-out gore. It's probably best to leave the younger kiddos at home. (On the weekends, the park offers the Knott's Treasure Hunt in Camp Snoopy--redubbed Camp Spooky, a daytime, tamed-down Halloween event expressly for smaller children and included with regular park admission).
Halloween Horror Nights
- Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City, CA
- 2008 dates: Beginning October 3
- Cost: The nighttime event requires a separate admission: Prices have yet to be announced by Universal Studios Hollywood
- For more info: 1-800-UNIVERSAL
- Official Halloween Horror Nights Web site. Presale tickets are available online.
After slaying 'em at last year's Halloween Horror Nights, Freddy Krueger returns to the Hollywood park in his Nightmare on the Backlot as well as a Nightmare on Elm Street: Home Sweet Hell maze. Freddy's buddies, “Friday the 13th’s” Jason Voorhees and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s” Leatherface, will also return with their own haunted mazes. .Also, The Strangers movie will inspire a new scare zone and Bill and Ted will be back for another excellent adventure. For the uninitiated, the slacker time travelers star in a bizarre Broadway-esque song and dance romp each year in which they skewer current events and people in the news.
Many of the park's regular rides, such as the particularly timely Revenge of the Mummy, will be open for the event.
More California Halloween Events
The next page has info about Six Flags Fright Fest, Disney's HalloweenTime, and other events.
